Pencil



May 27, 1941. M E. TROLLEN PENCIL Filed Dec.

Il Il w /f Patented May 27, 1941 PENCIL Martin E. Trollen, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Brown t Bigelow, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application December 16, 1939, Serial No. 309,587

(Cl. L- 18) '4 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in pencils, wherein it is desired to provide an inexpensive construction which is attractive to the eye.

In the construction of pencils, it is extremely desirable to reduce the cost of manufacture as much as possible. The pencils are classed in a highly competitive market, and every saving in cost not resulting in an inferior construction is extremely desirable. If at the same time, the appearance of the pencil can be improved, the invention is of extreme importance in the art.

It is a purpose of the present invention to eliminate a part of the pencil which formerly had to be manufactured on a screw machine or turret lathe. This part is replaced by a drawn metallic shell having a plastic ring surrounding the same. By combining the brass shell and the plastic ring, an element is formed which is as strong as is required and which is of approximately the same strength as the formerly constructed screw machine part, and is more inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a feature of my invention that the combined metallic shells and plastic rings may be formed at an extremely low cost and thatthe plastic ring forms a collar or band encircling the pencil which adds to the appearance of the same. The plastic ring may be formed of a contrasting color or shade of plastic from that forming the barrel and cap, and thus the appearance of the pencil is decidedly improved by the present construction.

.It is a feature of my invention that the drawn metallic shell combined with the plastic ring is of somewhat flexible material so that the eraser element can be more readily mounted therein, and so that the cap of the pencil may more readily iit about the shell. The slight flexibility of the shell permits the shell to flex slightly as the cap is applied, thus holding the cap more firmly and compensating for any irregularities therein.

A further feature of my invention resides in the provision of a reinforcing sleeve extending within the plastic barrel and extending from the attached end of the pencil clip to, or beyond, the bearing end thereof. The clips are ordinarily secured at one end, and bear with spring tension against the barrel at the other end. I have found that this constant spring pressure bends the barrel, causing the likelihood of interference with the proper operation of the mechanism, and detracting from the appearance of the pencil. The thin reinforcing sleeve prevents this deformation.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specication and claims.

In the drawing forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a pencil constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View through the pencil barrel illustrating the detail construction of the various elements of the pencil.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View of the upper portion of the pencil embodying my construction.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional View through the pencil on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, showing a modified form of construction.

The pencil A comprises a tapered tip portion Ill, a barrel portion Il, and a cap portion I2. These various portions are secured together in proper relationship in a manner which will be hereinafter describedin detail.

The tip I0 includes in preferred form a metallic tapered end portion I3 to which is secured a sleeve I4 threaded at l5 to fit within the lower extremity of the tubular barrel Il. A sleeve of plastic I6 encircles a portion of the tubular sleeve I5 between the metallic tip I3 and the threaded end l5.

Within the sleeve lli, I secure the lower end of a threaded tube Il having at its upper extremity an enlarged collar I9. The collar I9 is of proper diameter to fit snugly within the tubular barrel II and to be slidable therein when it is desired to remove the tip from the barrel. Pencil leads 20 are positioned between the threaded end l5 of the tube I4, and the bearing portion I9. Obviously as the tip ID is unthreaded from the barrel and pulled outwardly, the leads will be pulled out by the collar I9.

Within the threaded tube Il, I provide an elongated tube 2I which is rotated with the head of the pencil. This tube 2| is provided with an elongated slot 22, through which may-extend a toothed member engageable with the threads of the threaded tube I'I to advance or retract the lead 23. This construction has been previously utilized and is known in the art.

The upper extremity of the tube 2l lits within a drawn metallic shell 24. This shell 24 is provided with a sleeve portion 25 of a diameter to t tightly about the upper extremity of the tube 2|, an offset'ring-shaped connecting portion 25, and an upper portion 27 of larger diameter,

The enlarged diameter portion 24 is open at its top to accommodate an eraser 29 or the like. This eraser 29 is preferably supported in a U-shaped metal clip 3i) provided with ears 3l to engage into the body of the eraser to prevent it from being easily pulled out of the clip 30. The clip 39 iits frictionally within the upper portion 2'! of the shell 24 to hold the eraser replaceably secured. Encircling the smaller diameter portion 25 of the shell 24, I provide a plastic ring 32 which is also provided with a small diameter portion 33 and an enlarged diameter upper portion 34. This larger diameter portion 34 is preferably of substantially the same diameter as the barrel II, but may be of a contrasting color or shade of plastic from the tubularbarrel II. As illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing, the enlarged portion 34 of the plastic ring 32 forms a band which is Visible in the finished pencil.

Adjacent the enlarged portion 34 of the plastic ring 32, and encircling the smaller diameter portion 33 of this ring, I provide a blanked washer 35. A split friction sleeve 3B encircles the smaller diameter portion 33 of the plastic ring 32 and is held in place by a die-formed collar 31. the friction sleeve 35 is loosely supported between the collar 31 and the washer 35, encircling the smaller diameter portion 33 of the ring 32. This split friction sleeve 3S is normally of slightly larger diameter than the internal diameter of the tube I I, so that when the friction sleeve 36 is within the tubular lbarrel I I, the sleeve grips the tube under spring tension. While in this position, it is obvious that the head of the pencil incl-uding the ring 32, tube 2l, and collar 31, can

rotate with respect to the split ring 36, while at the same time this ring holds the head, tube, and ring from longitudinal movement with respect to the barrel II. The upper and lower edges of the ring 3S are inwardly tapered as at 39 to guide the sleeve 33 into and out of the end of the tube I I. The lower tapered edge of the sleeve engages the upper extremity of the tube II during the downward movement of the sleeve with respect to the tube to compress the sleeve.

A plastic shell cap 4I] of any desired sha-pe may be placed over the larger diameter portion 21 of the shell 24 to form a closure for the eraser 29. As the shell 24 is formed of relatively Vflexible metal, it will readily flex to compensate for any irregularities in the cap. Furthermore, this construction will hold the cap more 'securely than previously, as the slight flexibility of the shell 24 will create additional friction between the shell and the cap. Previous pencil constructions have utilized a screw machine part in place of the drawn metal shell 24, and obviously such a screw machine part is much more rigid than the present construction of shell.

Within the upper portion of the pencil barrel II, I provide a reinforcing sleeve 4I, preferably formed of metal or relatively stiff material. This sleeve 4I extends down in the barrel to a point entirely below the pencil clip 42, to prevent injury to the barrel by the clip 42. The clip 42 is provided with anchoringV ears 43 which extend through the lbarrel I and through the sleeve 4I, anchoring the clip to the reinforcing sleeve.

When the clip l2 is in place, the spring arm 44 of the clip causes the rounded free end 45 thereof to bear against the barrel III with spring tension. In the past, this constant pressure has caused the plastic barrels to bow inwardly yat this point.

This action may in some cases interfere with the Y proper operation of the pencil mechanism, and

Thus

obviously detracts from the appearance of the pencil.

In the present construction, the sleeve 4I extends below the rounded end 45, to reinforce the barrel I0 throughout the entire length of the clip 42. The spring tension of the clip 42 therefore cannot bend the pencil barrel I0 without bending the sleeve 4I. In this manner the former disadvantage of using clips with plastic barrelled pencils is obviated.

In Figure 5 I disclose a slightly different form of construction, which, however, does not affect the operation of the construction as described. In place Aof the plastic ring -previously described, I provide -a ring 46 encircling the sleeve portion 25 of the shell 24. The plastic ring 4S is provided with a small diameter portion 41 identical with the portion 33 of ring 32; and a portion of enlarged diameter 49 identical with the portion 34 of the ring 32. Intermediate the portions 41 and 49, I provide a. portion 53 of a diameter to nt snugly within the reinforcing sleeve 4I within the barrel Ii. This shoulder portion 53 centers the tubular element 2|, the ring 46, 4and the cap lassembly with respect to the barrel I I the same as the collar 31 does in Figures 2 and 3.

It should be noted that with the shoulder portion 5B on the ,plastic ring, the cap of the pencil is `always held concentric with the barrel I0. Without this shoulder 5), there may be some chance of the cap assembly being slightly oiset from the center, as the friction sleeve 36, which supports the cap relative to the barrel, ts loosely about the reduced diameter portion of the rplastic ring.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my pencil; and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that these `are only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention, and that obvious changes can be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. A pencil including a hollow barrel, .a lead propelling and retracting mechanism, a rotatable shaft within said barrel actuating said mechanism, a pencil head secured to said shaft, a plastic sleeve encircling said shaft, :a split friction sleeve encircling said plastic sleeve, said friction sleeve engaging said barrel with spring tension, a centering portion on said plastic sleeve fitting within saidvhollow barrel, and means for holding said friction sleeve from longitudinal movement with respect to said shaft.

2. In a pencil, a hollow plastic barrel, a rotatable head on said pencil, a cylindrical member secured to said head and extending into said barrel, a split sleeve encircling said cylindrical member, and a circular shoulder means of a diameter to fit closely within said barrel to center said head with said barrel.

3. A pencil including, a lead propelling means, a metal socket of a diameter larger than said lead propelling means secured to said lead propelling means to rotate therewith, providing a shoulder between said socket and said lead propelling means, a ring of plastic encircling said lead propelling means adjacent said shoulder including a large diameter portion at the end thereof adjacent said shoulder and a. small diameter portion throughout the remainder of its length, a split spring sleeve encircling said small diameter por.- tion of said ring and secured from longitudinal movement thereon, a casing enclosing said lead propelling means, said casing being of a diameter substantially equal to that of the large diameter portion of said ring, said ring providing a cushion between said metal socket and an end of said casing.

4. A pencil including, a lead propelling means, a metal socket of a diameter larger than said lead propelling means secured to said lead propelling means to rotate therewith, providing a shoulder between said socket and said lead propelling means, a ring of plastic encircling said lead propelling means adjacent said shoulder including a large diameter portion at the end thereof adjacent said shoulder and a small diameter portion throughout the remainder of its length, a split spring sleeve encircling said small diameter portion of said ring `and secured from longitudinal movement thereon, a plastic casing enclosing said lead propelling means, said casing 4being formed of plastic tubing or an outer diameter substantially equal to that of said large diameter portion of said ring, and of an internal diameter substantially greater than said small diameter portion of said ring to accommodate said split sleeve, said ring forming a cushion between said shoulder and said casing.

MARTIN E. TROLLEN. 

